Clark Howard is a hot geek!

According to a study conducted by GM as part of the 2008 Challenge X competition: "Nearly 9 in 10 women (88 percent) say they'd rather chat up someone who owns the latest fuel-efficient car versus the latest sports car."

reported by Hank Green on the ECOGEEK website, see the full article here:EcoGeeks get all the girls By Hank Green Posted Wed May 28, 2008 1:59am PDT

Here in Atlanta there are rumors that there is a disproportionate number of single women to men. Some say there are 3x's more girls than boys. In 2000, the actual statistics were not that impressive. According to Half Sigma.com, of the non-married,non-Hispanic, working white singles in Atlanta, 55% were women and 45% were men. (Maybe the ratios depends on ethnicity, but these were the only stats I could get my hands on.)

Regardless of the odds, finding the right mate is foremost on most single folks' mind. But we may be on the precipice of a new era. Imagine if everyone drives a "smartcar". There will always be a need for load toting trucks, but gas guzzling Hummers and speed racers could go the way of the Model T. The more scarce the gas, the sexier the scooter. Looks like the times... they are a changing ...no matter who the next U.S. President is.

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Why I bought a 2004 Honda Odyssey

For more tips on saving money while driving, visit Happy Speeder

Waiting in the bay at a service station is not my idea of a good time. Grant it, these guys can change your oil quicker than you can clean out your glove box, but I can think of 10 places I'd rather be. Growing up, my handy Dad would change the oil in my car, often on a Saturday morning while I slept(Thanks Dad!), so I never developed the patience for car maintenance; nor the appreciation of it's importance.

I drove a Chevy Venture Van for 5 years, and got the oil changed as infrequently as possible. The Valvoline guys were dubious but courteous when I claimed "I must have had my oil changed- sometime this year!" since the window cling on my windshield had not been updated. I persisted, "Surely, sometime in the last 12 months, I had an oil change. How much harm could it cause anyway, No way did I go 12,000 miles without an oil change!"... or did I? ( Selective memory is a very handy thing).

A few years later, heading out of town for Father's Day-visiting, my van stalled on HWY 285. Luckily, there was little traffic, and I was able to steer to the right and get off the road. Luckily, I had a cell phone because I was not near a commercial area with helpful corner stores. Luckily, I did not have to hike up to the next off-ramp while pushing my toddler in a stroller and my 9 year old by my side, desperately seeking a pay phone, in July, in Atlanta.

I started researching new vehicles on the Internet as soon as the mechanic called and said the motor was frozen or something. (Apparently, if there isn't good oil flow, gunk builds up and something quits working, leaving the other somethings to over work, which isn't good when you are asking the engine to drive 75 mph in the July Heat). Of all the cars I test drove, the Honda was the only minivan that could accelerate as fast as I thought necessary, it had some punch. (I do love to punch it! - for more on the love of speed, read Speed.) Five years later, this van runs like new and has it's maintenance records in order. I have become more diligent since the price of gas has gone up. Saving money on gas by keeping my engine well-lubed is worth the time to sit in the service bay. I am grateful for the price increase. Would I have ever been truly happy tending to mundane tasks, if I did not have the perspective of the alternative, plus the benefit of cost-savings at the pump? Luckily, my dad didn't raise no dummy... one blown engine is enough for me!

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Barack Obama proposes smart driving to save up to 3 mil barrels of oil a day.

Requiring action from the American people as part of his proposed strategy to decrease our nation's dependence on foreign oil, Barack Obama includes choices like slowing down and keeping your tires properly inflated. "Efficiency experts say that keeping tires inflated can improve gas mileage 3%, and regular maintenance can add another 4%. Many drivers already follow their advice, but if everyone did, we could immediately reduce demand several percentage points. In other words: Obama is right" from The Tire-Gauge Solution: No Joke Monday, Aug. 04, 2008 By Michael Grunwald at TIME.com If you have checked out the links at happyspeeder.com, you know that there are a ton of resources to prove that you save fuel by driving smarter. This is no scam or urban myth. Scientific research proves it and experts from all sides agree. In fact, the Bush administration has already funded EPA/DOE research that resulted in the release of fuel saving strategies-click here for those details: Tips for improving your fuel economy I am happy to know that these facts are universally accepted. There is no debate. These are real strategies that could save you up to $700 a year - not to mention - it can be fun. The idea that each individual can have an impact is empowering, and I hope to spur others to change. In a small way, I feel like I am getting back at the terrorist for 9-11, and that is very motivating. For more on saving money by driving smart, see:

Be proud of your nation: slow down for conservation!

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Save fuel or 7 minutes. Happy speeder commute advice.!

According to the US Census Bureau, in 2006 the average time to commute from home to work ranges between 15 and 31 minutes. The average was 25 miles. O.K., I drive 26 miles, each way, and it takes me 45 - 120 minutes. Atlanta must not be very average... According to the US Department of Energy, for each 5 mph you drive over 55 mph, you lose 6% of efficiency. So, at 75 mph, that would be 24% less efficient. If gas costs $3.99 per gallon, you’re really paying closer to $5.00 per gallon. No WAY! , you SAY?! Let’s compare the fuel cost of your trip to work at 55 mph speed versus 75 mph. If your car averages 25 mpg, then your 25 mile commute at 55 mph will cost you 1 gallon of gas, which is $3.99. If you drive 75 mph tomorrow, (that darn snooze button), and your fuel efficiency drops by 24%, then you could say that the trip cost 24% more, or $4.95. At 75 mph, you spend @ 96 cents more to get to work. If you make this trip 250 times, that’s $240.00 extra one way - $480.00 both ways -(who goes to work and doesn't come home?). All other things being equal ( which they aren't, but just pretend) the increased speed got you to work @ 7 minutes sooner. If you are running 5 minutes late, getting to work 7 minutes faster than usual is a blessing, and you have the right to spend 96 cents to drive 75 mph. Interstate 285 here in Atlanta has a speed limit of 55 mph, and I would never encourage breaking the law, so if you do speed, speed at your own risk. These calculations are based on an article from THE NEW YORK TIMES blog: Blueprint for Financial Prosperity. The math is dependent on several other factors not taken into account, so the estimate is just an ESTIMATE! For an excellent list of gas saving tips, you can refer to this WIKI article: How to Increase Fuel Mileage on a Car
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